39,276 known foreigners in Sabah
Published on: Friday, April 26, 2024
By: Mohd Izham Bin Hashim
Nizam added that the data on foreigners in the state was based on a data matrix in line with the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Act 1963.
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah recorded 39,276 foreigners, including 21,994 workers and 17,282 registered dependents with employers, in the state.
“All were successfully registered in the Sabah Integrated Management System For Foreign Workers and Non-Citizens (SWIMS) and certified by their respective employers,” said Minister in the Chief Minister’s Department, Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Tintingan.
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The Apas Assemblyman added that the data on foreigners in the state was based on a data matrix in line with the Immigration Act 1959/63 and the Immigration Act 1963.
“As for illegal immigrants, the Malaysian Immigration Department and relevant enforcement agencies will not compromise on security issues involving illegal immigrants in Sabah.
“Full detailed information on these groups will be provided upon the completion of the digital data collection process, which will be followed by arrest and deportation,” he said.
He said this while responding to Upko Kadamaian Assemblyman, Datuk Ewon Benedick, who wanted to know on the current status of foreigners registered in Sabah and the number of foreign visitors recorded in the state.
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Since the launch of the Digital Data Outreach initiative on Sept 12, 2022, Nizam said the programme had been continuously active, including during the month of Ramadan in which five plantation companies were involved.
“The companies included Sawit Kinabalu Group, Sabah Softwood, Benta Wawasan Sdn Bhd, FGV Plantation and Cepat Wawasan Group Berhad.
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“In the first phase, the digital data outreach initiative will focus on the plantation and construction sectors, which have the highest number of foreign workers due to demand for active workers in the Dirty, Difficult and Dangerous (3D) category,” he said.
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